Monthly Archives: February 2016

There’s never a dull moment in New York City and, with so much to do, it often feels like there’s simply not enough time. This year, take advantage of your extra 24 hours to experience even more of what the city has to offer. Leap Year only comes once every 4 years, so take advantage of it before time runs out!

While not unique to the big city, Pizza Hut is offering a free one topping personal pan pizza to any carry out customers who can show they were born on Leap Day. Those born on the 29th can also receive a free entrée from a special menu at the Hard Rock Café all over the world. Meanwhile, Krispy Kreme is offering an additional dozen of original glazed donuts for just $2.29 with the purchase of any dozen donuts. Additionally, to help get you through your extra day, Starbucks is offering $29 off any order of over $100.

If you’re looking for something more unique to the city, the final day of the City Bakery’s Hot Chocolate Festival concludes on Leap Day. A different hot chocolate flavor has been featured every day this month and as the month comes to a close one day later than normal, a special hot chocolate party is being held in order to help everyone enjoy one of the most delicious warm beverages ever invented.

Enjoy the warmer weather this Leap Day with a visit to one of New York’s many parks and gardens. The New York Botanical Garden is currently featuring the 14th annual Orchid Show: Orcidelirium, exploring the past searches for orchids and the perilous journeys orchid hunters faced in search of this captivating flower. If flowers alone aren’t enough, visit the Butterfly Conservatory to watch over 500 butterflies from around the world as they fly around their vivarium.

If your Leap Day is feeling a little artless, check out Unorthodox, an art venue featuring over 50 contemporary artists displaying works that fit the venues name perfectly. Artists strive to break the traditions and contemporary ideals of art with their pieces and in doing so create many breathtaking works.

With all that’s happening across the city every day of the year, don’t waste your time this Leap Day. A little extra time is all you need to get closer to completing your list of things to do in New York City.

Over the past few years, the craft beer scene has risen in both popularity and diversity, creating opportunities for independent brewers to get their own product into the world and giving consumers thousands of unique beers to discover. With tastes ranging from rich dark malt brews to the most bitter of the hoppy IPAs, the availability of distinct beers is at an all-time high, filling beer festivals and celebrations with a variety of new flavors to try and appreciate.

The Roosevelt’s Vander Bar has been rolling out many of these delicious brews from across the country each week during its new VanderBeer tour. A special passport will allow you to rack up stamps each week until you’ve tried the best of every beer available and earn yourself a free appetizer as well. Vander Bar is working hard to bring attention to some of the greatest beers across the country and now we’re getting a little help during New York’s Beer Week. From February 19th -28th New York City will be hosting an assortment of beer related festivals featuring delicious beer from all over the world. While the focus of the festival is New York beers, there will be delicious brews from some of your favorite breweries alongside multiple tap takeovers and beer specials across the city and its many bars. There are far too many events to name but trust us when we tell you that there will be a beer for literally everyone during this celebration of the most celebrated beverage ever invented. For more information click here.

Short Rib Tacos

While you’re out enjoying some of the best brews New York has to offer, pair them with something else delicious. Every Tuesday Vander Bar features a special taco for Taco Tuesday, creating a unique spin on a classic favorite that changes each week and always pairs well with a cold glass of beer. So knock back a few and enjoy the tastes of the Big Apple with The Roosevelt during Beer week in

When you stay at The Roosevelt, you stay in the same rooms shared by legendary figures of the past. With Presidents’ Day on the horizon, The Roosevelt would like to honor some of its more distinguished guests who helped shape the country we know today.

Although Teddy Roosevelt, the hotel’s namesake, passed away five years before the hotel officially opened, his ghost has visited the hotel many times. Frequently arriving with a spectral entourage of rough riders, the 26th president is known to wander the halls and greet guests, thanking them for staying at “his” hotel.

During his time in office, 31st president Herbert Hoover spent a little over a month at The Roosevelt, during which time he completed work on his finest invention, the Hoover vacuum cleaner. Originally equipped with a gas-powered engine, this piece of machinery was developed in order to assist hotel personnel in their cleaning duties by allowing them to clean the hotel’s immense amount of carpeting more quickly and efficiently.

Following up his wartime fame, 34th president Dwight D. Eisenhower brought with him to the hotel one of its most unusual guests. Eisenhower’s pet duck Marbles was known to travel with him everywhere and when he visited the hotel, it was expressly requested that Marbles be given not only his own room, but one of The Roosevelt’s 52 luxurious suites all to himself. During their entire stay, Marbles’ room displayed the “Do Not Disturb” sign and, when the president left, Roosevelt staff were surprised to find the room clean and practically untouched save for a lone feather left on the pillow of the duck’s bed. This feather is now displayed prominently in the main lobby.

A lot of history has taken place at The Roosevelt since its opening in 1924. And while every story you hear may not be completely true, this Presidents’ Day enjoy a trip to New York and a stay at The Roosevelt to discover the truth and history behind this majestic hotel.

*FYI the above are 99% blatant lies, hope you enjoyed!

On the heels of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January, Black History Month honors the history of African Americans in the United States and pays homage to the outstanding men and women of color whose contributions have helped shape the world of today. With a rich history all its own, New York comes to life during the month of February to celebrate these great men and women and the help educate residents and visitors alike in the rich history of African American culture through the years. Check out this list for a look at just some of what the city has to offer during this month of observance.

The largest traveling African Diasporic art show in the United States returns to New York this February to continue its mission of empowering artists and non-artists alike to express themselves through their culture and ideas. The show features a gallery for artists to exhibit their work as well as a floor to sell their pieces as well.

Wednesday nights bring out the new talent at the Apollo with one of its most famous attractions. Helping to launch the careers of many famous performers and groups, this series of performances all year long gives the stage to up and coming acts and allows them their chance to shine.

This exhibit honors and celebrates the noted government officials as well as activists and members of the public who dedicated their lives to the greater good of the people of America with works from a variety of artists.

Join the Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning for their celebration of Black History Month, including music, art exhibits, a film screening, and a four night performance of the Pulitzer Prize winning play FENCES by award-winning playwright August Wilson which explores the evolving African-American experience during the 1950’s.

Since 2007, Taste Harlem has been offering food and cultural tours of one of the most recognizable areas of New York. With tours ranging from architectural and neighborhood walks to exploring some of the best food spots in the area, Taste Harlem delves deep into the rich history that has made Harlem the cultural landmark it is today.